Racial disparity and death sentences in Ohio

The use of the death penalty has resulted in a number of studies attempting to determine if its application is consistent with the guidelines establis hed by the United States Supreme Court. In particular, many studies have as sessed whether there are racial disparities in the imposition of death sent ences. This study examined the imposition of death sentences in Ohio, a sta te largely ignored by previous research and that, until 1999, had not execu ted an inmate since 1963. Drawing from previous studies that have examined the issue in other states, this study assessed the likelihood that a partic ular homicide would result in a death sentence, controlling for race of def endant and victim and other relevant factors, Results indicated both legal and extralegal factors (including race of victim) were significant predicto rs of a death sentence, supporting many previous studies that concluded tha t race plays a role in the imposition of the death penalty. (C) 2001 Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.